lapointe



United States Patent ()fiice 3,123,819 Patented Mar. 3, 1964 3,123,819 CODE TRANSLATOR Lloyd J. Lapointe, West Hartford, Conn, assignor to Royal McBee Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed June 5, 1963, Ser. No. 285,758 4 Claims. (Cl. 340--347) This invention relates to code translators; more particularly it relates to a mechanically powered translator operative to selectively move one of a plurality of output links from a common input link through mechanical paths set up by bit selector electromagnets.

In the data processing art, codes representative of data stored in tapes or cards must be converted or translated into discrete mechanical movements whereby typewriter instrumentalities may be operated to print out the data. Heretofore data has been converted by electrical translators which convert codes representative of the data to discrete electrical signals which in turn are utilized to energize discrete solenoids whose armatures are operative to initiate the operation of an associated typewriter instrumentality. In that these translators require a power source, expensive multi-contact relays, amplifiers and a bank of solenoids, which must be harnessed to operate a typewriter keyboard, they represent a major cost factor in an output typewriter.

In accordance with the invention codes representative of data are converted directly to discrete mechanical movements which may directly initiate the operation of typewriter instrumentalities, thereby eliminating the expense of a solenoid for each typewriter action. Briefly, the bit signals of a code representative of data are employed to set up in a novel manner mechanical paths between a common mechanical input source and one of a plurality of discrete output links whereby when the common input is driven a discrete output links will be driven.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanical code translator suitable for decoding any n channel binary code.

Another object of the invention is in the provision of a decoder wherein discrete mechanical paths between a common mechanically powered input and one of a plurality of 2 output linkages are set up by an n channel code to be translated.

A further object of the invention is in the provision of a code translator operative in response to the energization of code bit electromagnets to set up a mechanical connection between an input and a selected one of a plurality of outputs.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan View of a 3 level code translator in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing the connections between translator levels.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views there is shown in FIGURE 1 a plurality of electromagnets generally designated by reference character each representative of and energizable by a signal corresponding to a code channel of an 14 channel code capable of representing 2 characters as is well known in the art. While a translator for converting codes having 3 channels only is illustrated in the drawings, it is to be understood that any n channel code may be decoded.

The armatures of the electromagnets are connected to and are operative to axially displace rods 12 from a normal position to which they are biased as by springs 14 to an actuated position. The springs 14 are anchored to and the rods are supported in uprights 16 secured to a base plate 18. Pivotally mounted between collars 20 on each of the rods are vertically extending plates 22 characterized as most clearly shown in FIGURE 3, in that the upper corners 24 thereof are notched. The rods corresponding to code channels 2, 2 and 2 respectively carry 1, 2 and 4 plates designated 22, 22 a and 22 b, and 22 11, b, c and d. The lowest order or 22 plate is coupled to an input link 26 which is adapted to rock the plate 22 clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 3. The 22 plate is also associated with two additional links 28 and 30 adapted to be selectively coupled to and to couple the motion of the 22 plate with one or the other of the two 22 plates to which they are coupled respectively, and each of the 22 plates is similarly provided with a pair of links 32 and 34 and 36 and 38 respectively adapted to selectively couple the motion of each of the 22 plates to one or the other of two 22 plates. Each of the 22 plates is also associated with two links 49 thereby providing eight discrete outputs, which is the number of combinations capable of being accommodated by a 3 channel code.

With reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, each of the links is provided with cutouts 42 adjacent opposite ends which have a restricted opening to the lower edges thereof. The restricted openings and cutouts are adapted to envelope the upper edges of the plates 22 as clearly shown in FIG- URE 2 and to permit the plates to rock freely. The

plates are maintained in horizontal attitude and in laterallyv spaced relation to one another by slots 44 in channel bars 46 supported at their ends by braces 48 extending from the base plate 18.

All of the plates 22 may be biased as by a common spring 50 secured between link 26 and an extension 52 of the channel bar supporting links 28 and 38; a stop 54 extending from the channel bar supporting the links 28 and 30 limiting the movement of plate 22 to the position shown. The action of the spring 50 through level connecting links biases all plates to normal positions.

As most clearly seen in FIGURE 3, in the normal condition one of the pair of links associated with each plate is operatively coupled to its driving plate while the other is positioned in alignment with a notch 24 of its driving plate. As is apparent then an output link from a lower order channel plate constitutes the input link to a higher order channel plate. In the normal condition of the rods, i.e. with none of the electromagnets It) energized a pull on the input link 26 will be coupled through the 22 plate, link 28, the 22% plate, link 32, the 22 d plate and output link representing the 000 code combination. Energization of selected magnets, the 2 magnet for example, will shift the 22 plates axially or to the right as viewed in FIGURE 3, whereby the output links 32 and 36 normally drivingly connected thereto will be operatively disconnected therefrom and the output links 34 and 38 previously aligned with notches 24 will now be operatively connected thereto so that when input link 26 is pulled, the 22 plate will be rocked, pulling link 28 as before and rocking the 22 12 plate associated therewith. The 22 12 plate is now however operatively coupled to link 34 which rocks the 22% plate associated therewith which pulls output link 4% operatively connected thereto and representative of the 010 code.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a clutch cycle may be initiated in response to the input code signals simultaneous with the setting up of or a predetermined time interval after a mechanical path has been set up by magnets 10; and suitable means may be provided to couple input link 26 to a clutched or drivenelement during the clutch cycle whereby a discrete out ut link depending on the mechanical path set up by the magnets, will be actuated; the magnets remaining energized through the clutch cycle.

It should be understood that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:

l. A code translator for decoding n bit codes into y discrete mechanical outputs where 31:2 comprising a single hinged element corresponding to the lowest channel bit and twice as many hinged elements corresponding to successively higher channel bits,

a drive link adapted to be coupled to power and connected to said single hinged element,

a pair of output links associated with each hinged element, one or the other of which is adapted to be coupled thereto depending on whether the hinged element is in a normal position or in an axially displaced actuated position, each of said pairs of links being coupled to and constituting an input link of a higher channel hinged element, the output links associated with the highest channel hinged elements constituting the y outputs of the translator,

and means responsive to bit signals for selectively axially displacing said hinged elements thereby to set up a discrete mechanical path between said drive link and a discrete y output link whereby when said drive link is power actuated a discrete output link will be actuated through the mechanical path setup.

2. A code translator for decoding n bit signal combinations into y discrete mechanical outputs where y =2 comprising a rod representative of each bit, each of said rods being axially displaceable from a normal to an actuated position,

plate elements mounted on and for movement with said rods and adapted to be rocked about the axis of said rods, the rod representing the lowest order bit carrying a single plateland rods representing successively higher order bits carrying twice as many plates, an input drive link connected to rock said single plate, a pair of output links associated with each plate one or the other of which is adapted to be coupled thereto depending on the position of said plates, each of said links being coupled to and constituting the input link of a plate on a higher order rod, the output links associated with the highest order rod plates constituting the y outputs of the translator, and means responsive to bit signal combinations for selectively axially displacing said rods and associated plates thereby to set up a discrete mechanical path between said input drive link and a discrete y output link representing the 11 bit signal combination, whereby when s'aid input drive link is actuated, said discrete y output link is actuated through said discrete mechanical path. 3. A code translator as recited in claim 2 wherein the connections between plates and links comprises open slots adjacent the ends of said links adapted to receive the upper edges of said plates, and wherein the upper edges of said plates are provided with a pair of notches one or the other of which is normally aligned with one of the pair of output links associated with each plate depending on the position of said plate, thereby effectively decoupling one from and coupling the other of said pair of output links to its associated plate.

4. A code translator as recited in claim 2 wherein said means responsive to bit signal combinations comprise electromagnets having their armatures coupled to and operable to displace associated rods to actuated positions, and spring means for returning said rods to normal positions.

Gilman Dec. 12, 1933 Canepa Nov. 28, 1961 

1. A CODE TRANSLATOR FOR DECODING N BIT CODES INTO Y DISCRETE MECHANICAL OUTPUTS WHERE Y=2N COMPRISING A SINGLE HINGED ELEMENT CORRESPONDING TO THE LOWEST CHANNEL BIT AND TWICE AS MANY HINGED ELEMENTS CORRESPONDING TO SUCCESSIVELY HIGHER CHANNEL BITS, A DRIVE LINK ADAPTED TO BE COUPLED TO POWER AND CONNECTED TO SAID SINGLE HINGED ELEMENT, A PAIR OF OUTPUT LINKS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH HINGED MENT ONE OR THE OTHER OF WHICH IS ADAPTED TO BE COUPLED THERETO DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE HINGED ELEMENT IS IN A NORMAL POSITION OR IN AN AXIALLY DISPLACED ACTUATED POSITION, EACH OF SAID PAIRS OF LINKS BEING COUPLED TO AND CONSTITUTING AN INPUT LINK OF A HIGHER CHANNEL HINGED ELEMENT, THE OUTPUT LINKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE HIGHEST CHANNEL HINGED ELEMENTS CONSTITUTING THE Y OUTPUTS OF THE TRANSLATOR, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO BIT SIGNALS FOR SELECTIVELY AXIALLY DISPLACING SAID HINGED ELEMENTS THEREBY TO SET UP A DISCRETE MECHANICAL PATH BETWEEN SAID DRIVE LINK AND A DISCRETE Y OUTPUT LINK WHEREBY WHEN SAID DRIVE LINK IS POWER ACTUATED A DISCRETE OUTPUT LINK WILL BE ACTUATED THROUGH THE MECHANICAL PATH SETUP. 